Wichita eagle., 1887-12-27
CHRISTMAS.
Services Held at the Different Churches Sun.
day.

acter peculiarly suited to the holy day
celebrated.
NJ. E. CHURCH.
The opening services consisted of songs
by well-drilled choir, the effect of which
was inspiring to preacher and people. The
| sermon by the preacher was from the text,
''And being made perfect, He became the
author of eternal salvation to all that
obeyed Him''-Heb so. The sermon was
an exposition of the text, and showed in
what sense Christ was made perfect and
the salvation of which He became the au-
thor. The truth, as represented, was edi-
| flying comforting and inspiring to- the
hearers. One adult person was received
into the church and the little daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Z. A. Sweeny was christened.
The remarks of the pastor in reference to
the baptism of children are worthy of
repetition. He said. The church is the
outward expression of God covenant with
mantle visible part of our cove
nant relation. II is the sign and
symbol of the covenant into which
we enter with God. Children
are Included in the covenant and, there
| fore, are entitled TO recognition in the
sign and symbol of that covenant. \
very pleasing and unusual feature of the
christening was the little child walking
alone down the aisle bearing in her hand
a vessel OF water that was USED in her
baptism. The frail but beautiful little
/ child acted throughout the ceremony with
an intelligent and apparent comprehen-
sion of the service of one much older in
years. After the parents were obligated
/ to instruct and train her in all christian
and holy living, she was taken in the arms
/ of the minister and christened Frances
| Birdine.'
The evening service was of soul inspir-
/ ing, singing by choir and congregation, in
! terspersed with recitations, pleasing to
hear, unique in composition, and un-
/ excelled in delivery. The first recitation
/ was a poem by Sunday school class, each
bearing "a small banner containing a single
letter. As each repeated a line
and reversed the acrostic "a
Merry Christmas was displayed.
Then came Good Night Papa by Miss
Lulu Dewey Her recitation Of this was
so affecting that many felt their hearts
grow tender, and with difficulty restrained
their tears.
''Artie's Amen was recited by Miss
-hlEule DtNtg III Il DluliiieT lIldb Won Iilt
admiration of ALL and had 1t not been for
its sacred associations she would have been
loudly applauded.
The baptism of Eddie, the five year-old
son of Mr. and Mrs Hunnicut, followed by
appropriate remarks by the pastor, con
cluded the very interesting and pleasant
services Of EmpOria Avenue church for
the day This church. though young is
rapidly gaining position that in the near
future will be second to none in the city.
CHRISTMAS AT THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Christmas Eve and Sunday was the oc
casion of series of interesting, instruc-
tive and delightful entertainments at the
Reformed churcn, cornerof Topeka avenue
and Lewis streets
On Saturday evening there was a service
of responsive reading song and worship
in which the large audience heartily Joined.
The lecture room, in which the c0ngrega-
ton worships was handsomely decorated
with evergreen and mottoS on the wall.
A large Christmas tree, ladened with
gifts beautifully ornamented and lit up
with wax tapers, stood in front of the pull
pit, and its meaning was fully explained
by the pastor, Rev j. w Love The chill
dren were treated with candies oranges
etc. The little girls received nice albums
and the boys tops. Teachers gave their
scholars handsome gifts and received gifts
from their classes. \ collection was lifted
for the orphan cause and liberal sum
raised. The room was crowded.
Sunday morning the PASTOR preached /.
an appropriate sermon to an attentive ,
audience.
Sunday evening the young people gave
a concert of recitations, songs and wor-
ship, and a liberal collection was lifted for (
the cause of missions.
At all these services the efficient choir of
this congregation rendered some very fine
anthems, solos. etc
The duet on Sunday night by Miss Grace I
H. Love and Mr.. Daniel +. Jack was .
especially fine.
Miss May Brown, the organist of the con
gregation, played with her usual grace and /
beauty of expression.
CHRISTMAS EVE AT LINCOLN STREET PRESBY-
TERRAIN CHURCH.
The tasty program handed to those who /
attended this entertainment, as they en- .
tered the doors, disclosed the exercises /
published in Saturdays EAGLE, which .
were carried out to the full satisfaction of
all concerned. The walls of this beautiful .
new church were handsomely decorated ,
with appropriate scripture matters and .
emblems, the work of Mrs. w A. o. !
Munsel. On one side of the pulpit was a /
cross. and on the other {. crown, while /
from the arch Of the room was suspended .
a star which overhung pyramid of little .
barrels containing the contributions of the
little children TO the million dollar relief
fund being created by the Presbyterian
church in the United States for aged, dis
abled ministers and their families: over the
the barrels and beneath the star was the
arched motto, They presented unto Him
gifts"
The music and Rotations were we'll
rendered and received. An especially in
tereStinC part was the concert recitation
of the ''Twenty-thlrd Psalm by the infant
class, consisting of twenty-three sweet lit
tie tots, named the Morning Stars" 4
no less interesting part OF the program
was the opening Of the barrels and count
ing OF the mites Although only about
half of the barrels which had been distrib-
uted were returned, they counted out
S30IS
The exercises were concluded by the en-
trance OF Santa Claus, accompanied by a
retinue OF imps bearing large baskets of
stockings filed with goodies for the
children. J. ". Clayton is an ideal Saint
Nick. and had grand romp with the little
ones. Altogether il was a highly enjoy
able and entertaining affair. SUperintend-
ent Dewy and the various committees de
serve much credit for it, success.
CHRISTMAS CHIMES AT THE UNITED BRETH-